🌴 New Mini Golf + Arcade, Arts Fest, and Teacher Appreciation

Hey Palmetto Parents,

Happy (almost) May! April has been a great month for us, but I am excited to be in the last month of school. What are your plans for the summer?

This week we have a new mini golf spot for you to check out on John’s Island. It is perfect for a fun family event, birthday party or even a date night! For those looking for a fun event this weekend look no further than the North Charleston Arts Fest which has been going strong for over 42 years. If you are looking for a steak dinner, look no further than Burwells Stone Fire and Grill. Don’t sleep on their deviled eggs! Lastly, we end this week on my thoughts from teacher appreciation season. We adore our teachers!

Have the best week!

Love discovering family-friendly things to do around town? Consider becoming a Palmetto Parents Supporter. For just $5 a month, you help us continue finding and sharing the best parks, events, and local spots for families, while keeping the newsletter free for our community.

It’s not often that a brand new place already feels like a longtime local favorite, but that’s exactly the vibe at Sea Island Mini Golf and Arcade. Opened just this February, it somehow feels like it’s been part of the community for years.

Let’s be honest, mini golf spots can sometimes feel a little… dated. But this one is the opposite. It’s fresh, thoughtfully designed, and actually fun for both kids and adults.

We recently hosted my son’s eighth birthday there, and it was truly the perfect party spot. It’s an affordable option that doesn’t feel like you’re cutting corners. Between the arcade games, the food, and the space to spread out, it made for an easy, enjoyable celebration.

The venue itself is beautiful. The 36 holes of mini golf are split between two well-designed 18-hole courses, each with fun challenges and water features. You definitely don’t have to tackle all 36, but it’s nice to have the option. There’s also a 4,000 square foot arcade filled with both newer games and classic favorites, but what stood out most was that it didn’t feel overwhelming or overstimulating like some arcades can.

Food-wise, they’ve really thought of everything. There’s an on-site food truck serving smash burgers, pork rinds, and homemade pizza (which was genuinely delicious), plus arcade favorites like nachos, chicken tenders, and hot dogs. They also have ice cream for the kids and beer and wine for the adults, which is always a win.

There’s plenty of outdoor seating, and it actually feels comfortable and relaxed. We even found a great little spot where the kids could run around and burn off energy while we waited for guests to arrive. The garden area adds a really nice touch too. It doesn’t feel like you’re stuck in a busy entertainment center, but more like you’re hanging out somewhere thoughtfully designed and enjoyable.

One detail I really appreciated was the separation between the mini golf area and where we ate. It gave the party a natural flow and made everything feel more organized.

And the staff truly made the experience stand out. The more experienced team members were incredibly helpful, but what really impressed me was how kind and thoughtful the younger staff were. They cut our cake for us (and did it well), helped with anything we needed, and even let me borrow an iPhone charger so I could keep snapping photos, which, if you’re a parent, you know is a lifesaver.

The bathrooms were clean, spacious, and had a changing table, which is always worth mentioning.

They’re currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM, with plans to extend hours in the summer, which will be perfect for those long Charleston evenings.

If you’re looking for a birthday party spot, a weekend activity, or just an easy way to get out of the house and have some fun, this is one to add to your list. Challenge your friends and family to a round of mini golf, grab a bite, and let the kids (and honestly, yourself) enjoy it.

It’s the kind of place you’ll go once and immediately start planning your next visit.

If you’re looking for a meaningful (and easy) way to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, the North Charleston Arts Fest is the perfect addition to your weekend plans.

Hosted by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, this beloved annual event has been bringing the community together for more than 42 years, and it’s easy to see why families return year after year. The festival highlights an incredible range of local and regional talent across dance, theatre, music, literature, and visual art, all in a way that feels welcoming and accessible.

One of the best parts? Every single event is completely FREE.

It’s the kind of outing that feels special without requiring a big production. You can spend the day strolling through art exhibits, catching a live performance, or letting the kids enjoy hands-on activities designed just for them. Events are hosted all over the area, including parks, libraries, community centers, and local businesses, making it easy to find something that fits your family’s pace.

It’s a great option for parents to spend time doing something creative, relaxed, and memorable with their families. Whether that means enjoying live music outdoors, browsing local artwork, or simply soaking up the atmosphere together, there’s something here for everyone.

With such a wide variety of performances, demonstrations, and activities, the festival truly lives up to its reputation as one of the most comprehensive arts events in South Carolina.

If you’re planning your weekend, this is one to add to your list. It’s thoughtful, it’s fun, and it’s a chance to slow down and enjoy something a little different together.

If you are totally over the Charleston influencer scene, this steakhouse is for you. The kind of place where you’ll find yourself taking pictures of your food just to remember it, not necessarily to post it.

Calling something the best steakhouse is a little tricky in our house. My husband has gotten really good at cooking steaks, to the point where I often prefer his over going out and spending money on one! But every now and then, a place reminds you why dining out is still worth it, and Burwell's Stone Fire Grill totally does.

It’s one of the most underrated steakhouses in Charleston, with a perfect mix of a comfortable atmosphere and seriously impressive steak options. You can tell they take their cuts of meat seriously. The whole menu is built around choosing your cut of steak, and it shows. If you’re a fan of Parks and Recreation, this place feels very Ron Swanson approved.

Slightly embarrassing to admit, but this was my first time ever trying deviled eggs, and now I get the hype. Burwell’s version is completely different. The egg white is reshaped into a square, the yolk is whipped into this perfectly balanced sweet-and-salty mousse, and it’s topped with candied bacon. It was one of the best decisions we made all night.

They also offer a hot stone appetizer where you can cook your own meat at the table, which is such a fun, interactive touch. And the drinks were hitting the spot too!

The space itself is worth mentioning. The seats are oversized and incredibly comfortable, and while it feels elevated, it’s not stuffy at all. It’s fancy without the pressure. Just bring a cardigan because somehow it’s always freezing in there.

They’re closed Monday and Tuesday, and open the rest of the week for dinner, with slightly later hours on the weekends from 4-9/9:30pm. It’s casual enough that you could bring your kids, but honestly, it’s probably a place you’ll want to enjoy on your own so you can really soak it in.

It might not be your over-the-top, once-in-a-lifetime anniversary spot, but it’s perfect for a group dinner or a really good night out. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

As April winds down and we start inching closer to those long, sun-soaked summer days, it feels like the perfect time to pause and reflect on the people who help shape our children’s days in the most meaningful ways, our teachers.

This past week at my daughter’s preschool, we had the chance to celebrate Teacher Appreciation in a way that felt simple but incredibly impactful. One of the highlights was organizing parent volunteers to take over recess duty for each class. It might sound like a small gesture, but giving teachers even a short break during their busy day felt like such a meaningful way to say, “We see you.”

And honestly, it ended up being just as special for the parents.

There was something really sweet about watching so many moms and dads step in, spending time with the kids, helping them play, and just being present. The teachers got a well-deserved breather, and we got a little window into our kids’ school world. It was one of those community moments that reminds you how lucky we are to have such involved families and caring educators.

On a more personal note, my almost two-year-old fully embraced the experience. And by “embraced,” I mean he spent roughly three hours a day rolling around in the dirt like it was his full-time job. Every single day ended with a pre-nap bath because he was absolutely covered head to toe. But honestly, a filthy toddler is a happy toddler, right?

As we head into Teacher Appreciation Week, it feels important to say this clearly: we are so incredibly grateful for our teachers. For the patience, the energy, the creativity, the comfort, and the countless unseen moments where you show up for our children in ways that matter more than we can put into words.

You are shaping their confidence, their curiosity, and their sense of belonging every single day.

To all the teachers reading this, thank you. Truly.

And we would love to hear from you. What are the things that actually make a difference during Teacher Appreciation Week? What do you wish parents knew, needed help with, or thought about more often? Drop your thoughts in the comments below so we can continue showing up for you in the ways that matter most.

Here’s to celebrating you this week and always.

See you next time!

Love,

Jenna